I agree to what Dr. Bill is saying as to disassembly, re-assembly of our "elsies". As far as lining up the top lever post into it's fit, the new book "The Legend Lives" shows how the Hunter Arms employees did it. They used an old flat bladed screwdriver, 1/4" long blade, and ground a "V" in the center of it. Used a 3/32" short drift and put it into the hole and then placed the "V" grooved tool on the drift and pushed it into the fit. The late Russ Ruppel used a 6" c-clamp with a 3/32" x 1 1/2" long piece of drill rod attached to the fixed jaw to align the top lever post. Drilled a small hole in the wood to push on the shaft. Our own Dr. Bill has a good idea, by drilling and tapping a hole in where the lock plate goes to push the top lever in place. There are more ways, and whatever way you like and have success with is always a good thing, and like Dr. Bill stated, "we are here to help people".